Page 13 of Saul

“They shot her in the head.”

Well,fuck.

Chapter eight

Saul

“Which islands?” Chris asked immediately.

“The problem started in Cuba and spread north. There’s been no sighting of anyone this far north though, and the Coast Guard has increased their patrols as best they can.”

“And the last one? With the murder?” Chris pressed.

“One of the exclusive resorts near Key West,” Daniel said. “They have no idea if it’s the same group because they are using small, innocent-looking pleasure crafts, and that wouldn’t get them the hundred or so miles from the previous sighting, or it’scopycats. There has been no loss of life before, but they could easily be escalating.”

I shot a look at Chris. “How many of us are here?” I meant the team.

“Four, including us two,” Chris bit out.

I looked at Daniel. “And how many have you got that can handle a gun?”

Daniel leaned back, alarmed. “Look—”

“I’m not saying for one moment it will be necessary, but we need to know. We also need to know what emergency evacuation plan is in place.” I eyed Chris. “Assuming we’re staying?” Chris would never back down from anything, but he was a Daddy, and…so are you. And the thought of Calvin being in any sort of danger made me want to hurl.

“No-one that I’m aware of, apart from our regular three security personnel,” Daniel said. “But the Coast Guard has just informed us they’ll be stepping up patrols until this group has been caught. I can also get some more security staff from Sunset if I need to, but—” He winced.

“But having guards walking around isn’t exactly a wedding esthetic,” I finished for him. He shook his head.

“Are all the staff here living on the island?” I asked, suddenly curious.

“Usually, but because we’re at capacity this weekend, I’ve used the agency we’ve used before. The Davisons were originally just coming for a vacation. They decided at the last moment to make it a celebration of their union and asked if we could accommodate them, as you know.” He glanced at Chris.

“Daniel called me and asked if that was okay,” Chris explained. “They normally limit large groups to just one at a time. Of course, it wasn’t a problem for us.”

“It also meant I had to use the agency, but we’ve used them before for Sunset, and their vetting process is excellent. I don’twant to cause a panic, but I feel this is something my guests should be informed about,” Daniel said.

I nodded, thinking of the old lady I’d seen, and pretty sure Daniel meant her for one. “Matt looks like he can handle himself,” I commented thinking of the boat driver.

“Matt isn’t allowed to carry,” Chris said, and I nodded once in understanding. So, he’d been inside? Didn’t surprise me with some of his tatts. But as long as Chris knew and was happy with it, then that was good enough for me.

“I’m about to talk to Joshua, my husband, and the rest of my staff. But basically, anyone that wants to leave will, of course, be offered a full refund.” He paused. “Would you like me to see if we can offer an alternative location?”

That was generous of him, and my respect for the man rose.

“Let’s go talk to Ricky and Calvin,” Chris said. “We’ll come and find you.” I stood and shook Daniel’s hand. I couldn’t imagine what an awful position the guy was in.

“What do you want to do?” I asked Chris as soon as we left Daniel’s office.

“What I want to do and what Ricky will want are two different things. He’s spent eight months planning this.”

“He offered to relocate us,” I pointed out.

“Yeah,” Chris said, “and while Florida hosts a number of gay weddings, can you imagine what strangers might say if they see Ricky running around in a diaper and holding a stuffy, or curling up on my lap with his binkie?”

I blinked at the cute image, and realized just how much of an about-face I’d done from my first impression. I hadn’t ever seen Ricky in a diaper, but then I hadn’t looked either. Chris sighed. “He only wears them if he gets stressed. A comfort thing.”

I nodded. Possible bad guys with guns would certainly do that.

---